Enid Riddell facts for kids

Enid Mary Riddell was a British woman who loved racing cars in the 1930s and 1940s. She was also involved with some political groups in the United Kingdom. During World War II, she was held for a time because of rules about official secrets.

Enid Riddell's Life Story

Her Early Years

Enid Riddell was born in Marylebone, London, on March 23, 1903.

Her Middle Years and Challenges

Enid was known as a stylish young woman who enjoyed city life. She had two main interests: car racing and being part of certain political groups. She joined the Nordic League, a group that supported Nazism and tried to connect similar groups in Britain.

She was also a member of the Right Club. This was a British group with strong political views. It was started by Archibald Maule Ramsay, a member of parliament.

Enid was introduced to the Right Club by Anna Wolkoff. Anna's family ran the Russian Tea Rooms in London. Anna had strong political opinions and was seen as a supporter of Nazi Germany. Enid and Anna remained friends for a long time.

When Britain declared war, the Right Club officially closed. However, some women members, including Enid, kept the group active. Enid helped Anna Wolkoff and Archibald Ramsay. After some arrests, Enid moved the group's meetings to the Wolkoffs' Russian Tea Rooms.

Through Anna Wolkoff, Enid became involved in the Tyler Kent situation. Tyler Kent worked at the American embassy in London. He copied secret letters between the American president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Winston Churchill. These letters showed that America was getting ready to join the war, even though it was publicly saying it was neutral. Publishing these letters could have caused big problems for both leaders. The documents were thought to have been sent to Germany.

In January 1940, Enid, Anna Wolkoff, Tyler Kent, and an Italian official met at a restaurant in London. Enid and the Italian official tried to arrange another meeting with Kent. But by then, Kent had already been arrested. Enid was asked to speak in court as a witness for Kent and Wolkoff.

Enid's home was searched on May 21, 1940. Nothing important was found except a message to Kent. Enid was questioned by the police. Because she didn't cooperate, the officer believed she knew more. She was then held under a special wartime rule called Defence Regulation 18B and was kept in Holloway prison.

Her Later Years

After she was released from prison in 1943, Enid continued to be involved with political groups. Later, she moved to Málaga, Spain. There, she ran a club called La Rascasse. This name is a reference to a famous turn on the Monaco Grand Prix race track.

In 1973, Anna Wolkoff visited Enid in Spain. Enid's eyesight was not good, so she let Anna drive. Their car was hit from behind, and Anna Wolkoff was sadly killed.

Enid Riddell passed away in London in March 1980. She was 76 years old.

Enid Riddell's Racing Adventures

Enid Riddell was a talented racing driver. She competed in many famous races.

In 1933, Enid took part in the Monte Carlo Rally. She drove an Alvis Speed 20 car but had to stop because of fuel problems.

In May 1933, she bought a new MG K3 Magnette car. It was registered as AGW 37. This car was also used by another driver, Hugh Hamilton, in other races that year. Enid drove her MG K3008 in the 1934 Rallye Paris - Saint-Raphaël Féminin. She finished first in her class and second overall. She also set the fastest time on a hill climb stage during that race.

She raced in the Monte Carlo Rally again in 1934. This time, she drove an AC 16/80 with her co-driver H. Comtesse Moy.

Enid and her MG K3008 raced in the Paris - Saint-Raphaël rally again in 1935, 1936, and 1938. She finished ninth in 1935 and first in her class in 1938. In 1939, she raced in the same event with a Frazer Nash BMW.

In May 1936, Enid and her MG K3008 competed in a hillclimb event at La Turbie. She earned second place there.

At the 1937 24 Hours of Le Mans race, an MG PB car finished 16th. It was driven by Dorothy Stanley-Turner and a driver listed as Joan Riddell. Some people believe that Joan Riddell was actually Enid Riddell. Other sources list a Joan Hardwick Riddell as a different person. However, a summary written soon after the event does list Enid Riddell as Dorothy Turner's partner in an MG.

In July 1946, Enid took second place in the Rallye des Alpes Françaises. She also won first place in her class and the Coupe des Dames trophy. She drove a 1937 AC 16/80 car with her co-driver Betty Haig.

Enid drove an Austin-Healey 100 with Betty Haig in the 1954 Paris St. Raphael race. They finished seventh overall. They also won their class (for cars with engines between 2000 and 3000 cubic centimeters) and a Coupe de Vitesse award.